Travels of Mark and Pat

Easter Sunday - 2020

A L L E L U I A

He is risen - let us rejoice and be glad!!!

A very different Easter Sunday.....not going to church and missing the beautiful liturgy, joyful singing, gorgeous flowers (lilies, tulips, hydrangeas, etc.) But we were with Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley in Boston at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for another beautiful Mass. Empty church but did have flowers and singing.

We had a leisurely morning, light breakfast and made some deviled eggs while chatting with Blair (facetime).

We gave these little dresses to Maeve and Blair for Easter - couldn't wear them to church today, but hope to see them dressed up sometime soon!

Although it was a very wet, gloomy Easter, we had so much fun with a family euchre tournament. 6 homes, 14 players and double elimination. Started at 2:00 and ended at 9:30 with Philip and me the champs. Some really good games! BIG thanks to Drew for organizing!!!

Delicious Easter dinner (only time we took a break cause of course, we had to eat)!!!

A fond memory of past Easters is my Mom's yummy soft sugar cookies made with sour cream and frosted with pastel icing. Oh my what I wouldn't give for one of them right now...

The rain keeps pouring down - over 1.3" so far with lots more coming according to radar which isn't pretty!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy week ahead!

Saturday - April 11

Bright sunny Saturday although 35 when we woke up! Big breakfast and later walked our 3.6 miles thru the forest. It was a refreshing trek thru the woods and eventually got up to 66. Lots of leaves, twigs and branches along the path from all the wind we've had.

I made a strawberry pretzel salad and we gals are going to share some of our Easter sides with the ham Annette is providing.

Drew giving little sis a thrilling jet ski ride!

So sorry to hear that our brother-in-law, Tom tested positive for the coronavirus. Please keep him in your prayers. He's self quarantining at home and praying for Sue (Mark's sister) who has similar symptoms.

Today we and Flo should've arrived at Kamp Komfort and stay thru mid May. Obviously that's not happening and a good thing with the weather forecast for IL.....only highs in the 40's next week with 3 overnight lows of 26. Yikes....Flo would not like those cold temps (nor us)!!!

Mark and I played spades - a wicked game and he usually beats me which was the case today! Brooke shared her corned beef/cabbage/potatoes and carrots with us - delicious and a night off from cooking! Ha.....Mark and I checked the blog and the last time we actually went out for dinner was March 13 when we went to the rodeo with Allie and Owen - seems like so long ago....but sure a fun day!

Tonight we "attended" the Saturday Evening Vigil at St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade, TN. Our friend, Vince did 2 of the readings. It was really neat to see him and also enjoyed Father Michael Woods, their priest.

H A P P Y E A S T E R!

Friday - April 10

The high winds continued thru the night and today...gusts from 35-40. The cottage is surrounded by tall trees and kept thinking one of them will come crashing in or land on Flo.

But this Good Friday is sunny and much cooler with high of 57. After breakfast we took a ride in Big Red to Old Wildlife Club - another section of Lake James. More gorgeous homes in beautiful settings.

Watched Good Friday services from Boston. The San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio reenacts the "Trial of Jesus" each year marching thru the streets carrying Jesus and everyone in full costumes. We watched it at the beginning and end and quite something but all in Spanish. 2 years ago this month, Claire, Kathy and I were in San Antonio, and were at that church.

Annette did a grocery pick up today - much appreciated!

Michael grilled salmon for us on the Green Egg....it was excellent along with a salad topped off by warm chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped topping. Whoaaa....really good especially since we haven't had desserts in a long time! Thanks to the little kiddos next door for this awesome treat!

Euchre tonight with Annette and me beating Ryan and Drew 3 of 4 games.

Thursday - April 9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNETTE

Our sweet Annette is celebrating today but unfortunately, we can't all be together!

Best wishes for a wonderful day and year ahead!

xoxoxoxo

A sunny, cooler day (71) and extremely windy! We had a productive morning catching up on e-mails, bookwork, etc. and listening to oldies (Malt Shop favorites)!

We went to Holy Thursday Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica today. It was translated in English with only a small number present. In his homily, the Pope prayed for over 60+ priests in Italy who have died from the virus.

After lunch we went for a very breezy but enjoyable walk.

Mark's sister Nancy has been having serious back pain since mid January. She's been to orthopedic and spine and pain specialists but no one has come up with a cause or cure. Please say some prayers for her as the pain has been extremely bad (she has 6 fractures). Next week she will see an endocronologist and hematologist.

Euchre tonight with Annette and Drew beating Anne and me 3 out of 5 games!!!

The wind is really howling!!!

Wednesday - April 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKE

April 8, 2014

1st birthday

April 8, 2020

7th Birthday

Our sweet, affectionate, funny grandson is "7" today!!!

Grandpa and I are sad that we can't be together to celebrate!

We took our 2-hour hike from 9-11, lunch and then went to Mass. This afternoon we took the pontoon to Philip and Annette's and sang Happy Birthday to Luke - fun but bummer we can't "really" celebrate with him. We tied up to their pontoon and we stayed on Michael's - the kids understand about this social distancing!

Soo pleasant sitting out there and chatting along with Philip, Annette, Maeve and Ryan,